Candidates apply through the Lee County government job portal, submitting a resume and completing the required online application. I applied 13 times. The first interview is conducted over the phone with a panel of five people, including supervisors and managers. If you advance, you’ll have an in-person interview with another panel of five people.

The only question I was asked for the phone interview was confirming that I was aware of the salary for the position. The phone interview was conducted by the branch manager, who I believe was the person who makes the hiring decision. The interview was with a panel -- the branch manager, a library associate at the branch, and the head of reference from another branch. I knew the head of reference from our graduate school program in Library Science, but all three were very friendly. There were a few tough questions, but overall the tone was very friendly. There were no "gotcha" questions, all related to the job responsibilities. They have to write down all of the candidates responses, so that is a little off putting, and there are some awkward silences while they write. But better that -- if you keep talking they have to keep writing so it is best to keep answers appropriate length and just sit in silence.